When arrived there, he bowed to his prisoner, and, without saying anything, returned to his post.

D'Artagnan had not had time to ask why his sword was not taken from him, when the door of the cabinet opened, and a _valet de chambre_ called, "M.

d'Artagnan!" The musketeer assumed his parade carriage, and entered, with his large eyes wide open, his brow calm, his moustache stiff.

The king was seated at a table writing.

He did not disturb himself when the step of the musketeer resounded on the floor; he did not even turn his head.
D'Artagnan advanced as far as the middle of the room, and seeing that the king paid no attention to him, and suspecting, besides, that this was nothing but affectation, a sort of tormenting preamble to the explanation that was preparing, he turned his back on the prince, and began to examine the frescoes on the cornices, and the cracks in the ceiling.